BizStarts Hall of Fame Member

 


Rick Schmidt serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Board at CG Schmidt, Inc., a leading construction management firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Charles Schmidt, Rick’s great-grandfather, founded Charles Schmidt & Sons Construction in Milwaukee, WI in 1920 with a promise to provide quality construction services with integrity and caring. In 1946, the firm was renamed and incorporated as CG Schmidt, Inc.  Now in the fifth generation of family leadership, CG Schmidt has grown into one of the state’s top commercial builders and is a trusted building partner to the most notable businesses throughout Wisconsin.

For over 100 years, CG Schmidt has proven a leader in quality construction management, general construction, and design-build services with offices in Madison and Milwaukee. The company serves education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community and religious market segments. The firm has built several high-profile projects in and around the area including the Milwaukee Art Museum Calatrava addition, Milwaukee Public Market, Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, and the Northwestern Mutual Tower.

Prior to serving as an executive leader for GG Schmidt, Rick worked for Payne and Dolan, Inc., where he served as vice president and regional manager.  He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Marquette University and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Wisconsin.  Rick currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Building Trades Pension Trust Fund and chairs their Executive Committee.  He is a member of the Marquette University Construction Engineering and Management Advisory Board, Marquette University College of Engineering Thought Leaders Council, and the Greater Milwaukee Committee. Rick has also served as past president of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee and is currently on their Education and Research Foundation Board.

Rick is passionate about community service and serves on several not-for-profit boards including Medical College of Wisconsin’s Cancer Center Board (past chair); Legatus of Milwaukee (past president); Seton Catholic Schools; St. Francis de Sales Seminary; Milwaukee Catholic Home; Milwaukee Zoological Society; and the Pabst Mansion. Rick is co-chair of the Connecting Communities campaign for the B-Line Park Beerline Trail and is a member emeritus of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Rick and his wife, Nickie, previously served two years as co-chairs of the Catholic Stewardship Appeal for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In 2021, Rick and Nickie were inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.